Kevin Bemel ·
How Authenticity Should Drive Your Decisions
Back during Christmas time, I was driving my daughter to school when out of the blue she told me she thought we should get a tree. "Like a Christmas tree, only make it for Chanukah." Though surprised, I calmly asked her where she had gotten this idea. She said, “I thought it up daddy. It will be nice because trees are so beautiful.” Fortunately, I had the guidance of the parsha for this Sabbath, Ki Sisa:
“G-d spoke to Moses . . . They have strayed quickly from the way that I commanded them.” (Shemos/Exodus 32:6-8).
This week’s parsha gives the mitzvah of the half-shekel and deals with the last few items for the Altar. Then it discusses the Sabbath and relates the story of the Golden Calf.
Despite being well known, the story of the Golden Calf is frequently misunderstood. Think about it for a moment. How ridiculous is it that the Israelites, who witnessed the revelation on Mount Sinai, would replace G-d with an idol? A person must give up his life rather than worship an idol. Surely Aaron, the future Kohen Gadol (High Priest) and one of the holiest people who ever lived, would have died rather than commit such a desecration.
To the Israelites, Moses acted as an indispensable intermediary with G-d. From their perspective, he brought about the miracle of the splitting of the Reed Sea. He miraculously provided water and food in the wilderness and gained victories in battles.
When they miscalculated the number of days and nights Moses was supposed to be on Mount Sinai, they concluded he had died. The Golden Calf replaced him. Aaron, who knew they were wrong, nonetheless felt it was better to acquiesce. Soon Moses would return and the truth would be evident. Only a tiny percentage of the people, about 3,000, actually worshiped the Calf as a god. These were Egyptian “hangers on,” that left Egypt with the Children of Israel.
Authenticity Is the Hallmark of a Strong Bond
The story of the Golden Calf demonstrates you do not need an intermediary to connect with G-d. You have the ability to have a direct relationship with the Almighty.
As well, while the facts of a situation may appear to be quite clear, they do not always tell the full story. Many times you must look more deeply. Consider mistakes or misinterpretations that people have made, before jumping to what may seem to be an obvious conclusion.
Finally, be wary of adopting another faith’s practice due to a lack of understanding of that faith or yours. I agree with my daughter that trees, especially Christmas trees, are beautiful. Yet while the origin of this practice is debated among Christians, there is no denying it is not Jewish.
As I explained to my daughter, G-d does not want us to borrow the practices of others. We serve Him by following the path He created for us. Others must do the same within their traditions. The Almighty desires authenticity in relationships with his children. We'd do well to emulate this with our family and friends.
What do you think about faiths adopting each other’s rituals and customs?
You can leave a comment on this question or ask another question below ↓
Every year beginning on Simchas Torah, the cycle of reading the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, ends and begins again. Each Sabbath a portion known as a sedra or parsha is read. It is named after the first significant word or two with which this weekly reading begins.
Do you have a question about the Old Testament? Ask it here and I will answer it in a future Parsha Nugget!
